ACC files corruption case against 24 individuals, including former Shilpakala Academy chief

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against 24 individuals, including former Director General of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Mohammad Liaquat Ali (Lucky) and Director Jahangir Hossain Chowdhury.

The case alleges that the accused illegally appointed 23 candidates to 10 positions by manipulating written exam scores, causing a financial loss of Tk 85 million to the government.

ACC Deputy Director Sumitra Sen filed the case with the ACC's integrated district office in Dhaka on Sunday.

ACC spokesperson Md Akhtarul Islam confirmed the development to The Financial Express.

The accused include former Director General Mohammad Liaquat Ali (Lucky), Director Jahangir Hossain Chowdhury, Cultural Officers Al Mamun, Md. Hamidur Rahman, Begum Sudipta Chakraborty, Hasan Mahmud, Begum Runa Laila Mahmud, Assistant Director (Budget & Planning) Begum Samira Ahmed, Stage Manager Begum Rahima Khatun, Guide Lecturer Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Music & Instrument Instructor Begum Meen Ara Parveen, Dance Instructor Begum Priyanka Saha, Instrumentalists(Grade-3)Narayan Deb Liton and Md. Ziaul Abedin, Dancers(Grade-3) Begum Laila Yasmin, Begum Miftahul Binte Masuk, and Begum Sumaita Tabassum Dhanum, Singers Begum Roksana Akter Rupsa, Abdullah Al Rafi Talukdar, Md. Sohanur Rahman, Begum Abida Rahman Setu, Begum Mohona Khas, and Cameraman( public) Md. Rubel Mia.

According to the case details, the accused conspired to manipulate written exam scores by fraudulently increasing marks for disqualified candidates. This enabled the illegal recruitment of 23 individuals to various positions. After these appointments, the selected candidates drew salaries and allowances from government funds, causing a financial loss of Tk 82.8 million (nearly $770,000).

The charges against the accused include forgery, fraud, and corruption, filed under sections 409, 420, 468, 471, and 109 of the Penal Code, 1860, along with section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1947.

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